Exciting Siding, or Bored Boards?

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We've been chipping away at our pile of salvaged siding, preparing it for installation. I have been using the heat-stripper and digging the paint and caulk out of the part of the boards that will overlap, and Robb has been cleaning the dirt off, so that we will have a good surface for painting.




We bought something like three times more than we needed, if you were to merely count the board-feet. But of course, much of this lumber isn't in particularly good shape, so we're working on the best boards first.

It's really quite incredible to think that this wood is almost one hundred years old. At the time it was harvested, it would have come from virgin redwood forests, which means that these very boards probably came from trees that were hundreds of years old. Trees that were as big around as my car.

As a life-long tree hugger, this almost freaks me out. There will never be a forest like the one that these boards were ripped out of. But, on the other hand, no new trees were cut down for this project. It's good to be re-using this lumber.




The cats have been offering their supervision, which is always very helpful.




Smog looks fantastic, doesn't he? It makes me so happy to think that I plucked him from the brink of death, and now he's so healthy and happy and fluffy and gigantic.




"Phooey" says Linguine, "Smog is a dirty little urchin. Now get back to work."

Comments

Anonymous said…
Despite what Linguine says...Smog is one fantastically handsome cat. Despite what people think about cats....he will be devoted to you for the rest of your lives. Well done you.
On another note just the thought that that wood is sooooo old is absolutely amazing. Worth every penny, and every aching muscle etc etc....
Anonymous said…
True confession here: I am not a cat person. But... I cannot help but love Smog and how healthy and contented he seems. He really is cute. I think Linguini must be French, he is so scornfully superior. You just have to love them both!

I am totally impressed by the care you two are taking with your siding replacement, with your house renovation totally. It truly is becoming your home and a place of satisfaction for you. Well done.
Grinch
Christine said…
Smog's ear hair never fails to amuse me. Your excitement about the siding is infectious! Can't wait to see how it all turns out.
MW/ aka Bungalow Boxer said…
Love that you were able to find old siding to match your house! I live in a new bungalow, and am very jealous of the inside and outside of your house! Next time you're in CT, you'll have to come by and have dinner. We tried to get stuff right, but it's much more expensive to do it right now, than it was when your house was built!
Anonymous said…
Let's not forget about Robb...he is a cat of nine lives as well!!!
Great work!!!


Hugs to you all and your happy home!
Anonymous said…
Both Smog and Linguine look amazing:)

now, how lucky you are to be supervised by cats. I'm sure it will be extra well done because of that:D
Anonymous said…
Both Smog and Linguine look fantastic. But of course remembering what Smog looked like at the first pictures makes him look even more amazing!

Now, how lucky you are to be supervised by cats. Then it will be done with outmost care:D
Anonymous said…
This is great! Its the same thing we are doing with our barn. Salvaging old wood from our neighbors who had some to give away/unload out from their barns. Have not had to buy any yet, but we are soon there. Wear respirator masks, I bet those old boards have lead paint on them.... On this note, put plastic sheeting under the work area to catch the old paint chips and then put them in the trash. Try like hell to keep that crap out of your soil.

I have some old chestnut boards that we COULD cut down for the barn but I'm trying to save them for a big long table. It is heavily weathered, 20 feet long and 3 feet wide and I LOVE IT. No WAY I'm cutting up that sucker!
Using old wood is better- mostly if bugs would have eaten it they would have done so already. (I learned this from the old guy they brought out of retirement to inspect our barn.) The older the wood, the better and harder it is. Always pre-drill those suckers or they will split when you nail into them and then you will be sad..

I have a LOT of scrap wood that will be turned into birdhouses.. we also used a bunch for making coat racks, railings, etc...

Annalisa
Boodely said…
Smog wins the ear hair award for sure.

Yay for reuse!
ASL Girl said…
Smog is growing up to be a very beautiful cat! Linguini consistently cracks me up with her tongue sticking out. She really has quite a personality!
OMG, Smog's ears are awesome, and he's looking great! I think it's fabulous that you've recovered so much wood siding, that otherwise may have only found its way to a landfill or a bonfire. You just can't come close to the quality of that siding these days...but I don't envy you all the prep work. I love painting...the prep...not so much ;)
Martha said…
I think you should re-name Smog to Gramps. That amount of ear hair...just sayin'
ShySongbird said…
Goodness! It looks like you have a lot of work on your plate there, good luck with it :)
Anonymous said…
smog looks like a lion!!! that's the first thing I though of when I saw his photo.
Cinderellen said…
Siding is looking good! It will be worth the effort for sure. Smog's ear hair makes me wonder if he's got some Maine Coon in his background.

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